IE51303B1

IE51303B1 - Novel antihistamines

Info

Publication number: IE51303B1
Application number: IE1328/81A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Schering Corp
Priority date: 1980-06-19
Filing date: 1981-06-16
Publication date: 1986-11-26
Also published as: EP0042544A2; EP0042544B1; FI811878L; IL63122A; SG70587G; JPS6355513B2; FI70213B; MY8700761A; NZ197435A; IE811328L; HK94387A; ES503085A0; JPS5735586A; EP0042544A3; HU186774B; DK263481A; FI70213C; NL930094I2; LU88359I2; PH19252A

Abstract

The invention concerns compounds of the general formulaThe compounds are antihistamines with little or no sedative effects.

Description

This invention relates to novel antihistamines, to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel compounds.

United State Patents No. 3,464,983 and 3,491,103 and 5 Helvetica Chimica Acta £9, No. 1, 1966 pages 214-234 name various 4H-benzo[4,5Jcyelohepta[l,2-b]thiophenes and their 9,10-dihydro derivatives and 6-chloro derivatives having esterified carboxy aminoalkylidene or Nesterified carboxy pi peridy1idene groups attached at the 4-position, a typical compound being 4-(3-methyl-3ethoxycarbony1 ami nopropy1i dene)-9,10-di hydro-4Hbenzo[4,5)cyc1obepta[ 1 ,2-bJthiophene. Such compounds are mentioned as intermediates in the production of derivatives in which the esterified carboxy function is replaced by hydrogen or alkyl, the resulting derivatives being antidepressants (3,464,983), or are antihistamines (3,491,103 and Helvetica Chimica Acta). United States Patent No. 3,326,924 describes various aza-dibenzo[a,b]cycloheptenes, and 9,10 derivatives, typically 4-aza-52θ (N-methyl-4-piperidylidene)-10,ll*dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a ,d)cyc1oheptene; such compounds are characterized by their antihistamic, antiserotonin and antianaphylactic act i on. 5X303 United States Patents No. 3,264,342, 3,435,073, 3,513,201, 3,786,095, 3,917,669, 3,952,017 and 3,763,169 describe various 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptenes or 10,11-dihydro derivatives thereof bearing a side chain in the 5-position which is typically 3-N-methyl-N-carboethoxy aminopropyl. Such compounds are described as intermediates in the formation of derivatives in which for instance the carboethoxy function is replaced by hydrogen or an alkyl group, the derivatives being variously described as having gastric anti secretory properties (3,763,1 69 and 3,435,073 ), antidepressant properties (3,952,017, 3,786,095, 3,917,669, 3,513,201) and antihistaminic properties (3,264,342).

The compourds of this invention are of the general formuI a I where i n ω A represents the group of atoms required for completing a fused aromatic 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring or a fused benzene ring; B represents the group of atoms required for . comp Ieting a fused pyridine, benzene or X-substituted benzene ring - wherein X is halogen, with the proviso that ,when A defines a η Itrooen-containing heterocyclic ring,then B defines a fused benzene or X-substituted benzene rinc; Z represents s single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted methylene or ethylene group, the substituent being an oxo or hydroxy group, or 2 represents vinylene R^ represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having I to 3 carbon atoms anc Rj represents hydrogen, or R2 and Rj form together a second bond; R^ represents hydrogen and Rj represents an alkyl group having I to 6 carbon atoms.

R| and R^ form together a second bridge -(CHjJj- between the carbon atom and the nitrogen atom to which they are attached; p represents I or 2; and Y represents either of the groups -COOR? and -SOyRg where i n R^ represents alkyl, cyeloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, phenyI IoweraIkyI or 2-, 3- or 4-piperidyl and Rg represents alkyl, cyeloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl or phenyI IoweraIkyI, whereby the alkyl, cyeloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and alkenyl groups represented by R;. may optional ly be substituted by the group -N wherein R^ and R^ each represent hydrogen or an % alkyl group having I to 6 carbon atoms, the piperidyl groups represented by Ry may be substituted at the nitrogen atom by a lower alkyl group having I to 4 carbon atoms, and whereby the phenyl groups and the phenyl moiety of the phenyIloweralkyl groups represented by Ry and/or Rg may be substituted by halogen or lower alkyl having I to 4 carbon atoms, subject to the following further provisos: (i) that when A is a group of atoms required to form a fused [1,2-b] thiophene ring, Z is -CH^-CH^- or -CH=CH-, p is 2 and either 1) B is a group of atoms required to form a fused benezene ring, and R^ are both hydrogen or form a double bond, R^ is hydrogen and R^ is C-j-C^ alkyl or R^ and R^ form the second bridge ( -CH2- ) 2 ; or Ζ) B is an X substituted benzene ring, R^ and R^ form a double bond, is hydrogen and R^ is Me; then Ry cannot be C-j-C^, alkyl or phenyl (C^C4 alkyl); and (ϋ) when A and 6 represent, respecti vely a fused benzene ring and a fused benzene or X substituted benzene ring then and R^ form together a second bridge (-CH^-)^ between the carbon atom and nitrogen atom to which they are attached.

The alkyl and alkenyl groups in the above deli nt ions of Y are such having up to 12 carbon atoms, most preferably up to 6 carbon atoms, and the loweralkyl groups (in the pheny1loweralkyl groups) are such having I to 4 carbon atoms. The eycloalkyl groups have 3 to 7 and the cycloalkylalkyl groups 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

All lower alkyl, alkyl and alkenyl groups referred to in the above definitions may be straight or branched chains.

In a preferred aspect Z represents unsubstituted or substi]q tuted ethylene, preferably unsubstituted ethylene,or vinylene.

Another preferred group of compounds are those wherein R2 and Rj together form a second bond.

The preferred definition of R| and R^ is that Rj and R^ together form a second bridge of the formula Of the aromatic heterocyclic rings defined by A, the sulfur or nitrogen containing rings are preferred. Most preferably the heterocyclic ring is a thiophene or pyridine ring.

In the thiophene ring the sulfur atom may be in any of the two possible positions and in the pyridine ring the nitrogen atom may be in any of the 4 possible positions.

The preferred definition of B is the one which provides a fused benzene or X-substituted benzene ring.

A most preferred group of compounds may be defined by the following formula II wherein the dotted line represents an optional double bond and X and Y are as hereinabove defined for formula I.

Preferably Y represents an alkoxy carbonyl or alkoxysulfonyl group wherein the alkyl moiety has I to 12, preferably I to 6 carbon atoms. The alkyl groups may be as defined above, i.e. straight, branched or cyclic or they may be straight or branched chains containing a cyclic moiety.

In addition, the alkyl moiety of the alkoxycarbonyl groups may be subsituted by an amino group, -N^ , as hereinR6 above defined.

The present invention also provides novel pliai ma, ent 11 a I compositions comprising a compound chosen from the compounds of formula I as defined above and those compounds excluded from formula I by provisos (i) and (ii) in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or exci pi ent.

The compounds of this invention (including these excluded from the definition of formula I by provisos ti) and (ii)) may be prepared by methods generally known in the art.

The preferred process comprises reacting a compound of the general formula I I I wherein A, Β, Z, R(, 1^, Rj, R^ and p are as defined 5 for formula land Y' represents a replaceable group, with a compound of formula l-Y TY (JT) wherein Y is as defined for formula X and T represents a group capable of being eliminated together with Y'.

Thus, for the preparation of compounds of general formula I or, in particular, of formula Th wherein Y represents COOR^ with Ry being as defined above, a compound wherein Y' represents methyl is reacted with a compound of the formula TCOOR? wherein T represents halogen, preferably chlorine. The reaction is carried out by heating the starting materials in an inert solvent, pre ferably at reflux temperature. Typical representatives of inert solvents are benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform etc.

In ii further embodiment of the general process outlined above, a compound of formula I I I wherein Y' represents H is reacted with a compound of formula TCOORy wherein T represents OR?, whereby Ry is as defined above, preferably, however, t-butyl.

The compounds of formuI a I whereiη Y represents SOyRg are preferably prepared by reacting a compound of formula I I I wherein V' represents H with a compound of formula IV wherein T represents halogen, preferably chlorine, and Y represents SO^Rg. The reaction is preferably carried out at room temperature in an inert solvent such as benzene and toluene in the presence of a base such as NayCO^, NaH, NaOH, triethylamine or other strong organic bases. The inorganic bases are preferrred.

As is apparent from the nature of the group Y in the compounds of formulaX, certain ester groups obtained according to the procedures outlined above may be transformed into other ester groups by transesterification.

Thus for example a compound wherein Y represents -COO may be reacted with NaORy to give a compound wherein Y represents COORy (Ry being different from phenyl).

The starting compounds of formula I I I are partly known compounds which are available on the market, e.g. azatad i ne: Other starting compounds of formula I I I may be prepared according to methods described in the literature, e.g. in U.S. Patent 3.326.924 and Belgian Patent 647.043 or according to analoguous methods.

As is obvious from the chemical structure, compounds of this invention have assymetric centers (e.g. position 11 in formula I I ) In the preparation, a mixture of the optical isomers (d and I), is obtained which can be separated by methods well known in the art.

The following examples illustrate the process variations described above: Example 1 A. 11-(N-Carboethoxy-4-p i per i dyIi dene )-6,11-d i hydro5H-benzo/'5, (J eye I ohepta/1,2-b7pyr idine To a solution of 10.9 g (0.1 mole) of ethyIchIoroformate in 300 ml of anhydrous benzene is added dropwise, with stirring at room temperature, a solution of 14-5 9 (0.05M) of I I-(N-methy I-4-p i per, i dy I i dene)-6,11-d i hydro5H-benzo/5,6/cycI ohepta/Ί ,2-b7pyridine (hereinafter referred to as Compound Tf Al in 200 ml of benzene. The solution is stirred and is heated under reflux overnight (16-20 hrs.).

The mixture is cooled and is poured into ice water and the organic layer is separated, washed with water, dried, and then concentrated to dryness. The residue is triturated with petroleum ether and a white solid having a melting point of IO6-IO7°C is recrystallized from isopropyl ether after decolonization with decolorizing carbon.

B. 11-(N-Carboethoxy-4-p ΐ per i dyIi dene)-8-chIoro-6,Hdihydro-5H-benzo/*5, 6/cyc I ohepta/Ί , 2-b/pyr idine Using the procedure of Example IA, react 16.2 g of the 8-chloro derivative of Compound TT A and 10.9 g (0.1 mole.) of ethy IchIoroformate to prepare the title compound, having a melting point of I28-I3O°C. The 9- and 10-chloro analogues are similarly prepared.

C. 11-(N-Carbomethoxy-4-piperidyIidene)-6,44-dihydro5H-benzo/3,67cycIohepta/l, 2~b7pyr i d i ne Using the procedure of Example 4A, react 14.5 g of Compound XIA and 9.4 g of methyIchIoroformate to prepare the title compound, having a melting point of I 16—I 18°C.

D. 11-(^-N-Methy I-N-carboethoxy)ethyI-8-chIoro-6,11d i hydro-5H-benzo/~5,6/cycIohepta/l,2-b7pyr idine Using the procedure of Example 4 A react a solution of 15.1 g (0.05 mole) of I I-(/3-dimethyI ami noethyl)-8-chloro1θ 6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo/5,6/cycIohepta/l,2-h/pyridine in 300 ml of anhydrous benzene with 10.9 a of ethyIchIoroformate at room temperature to prepare the title compound.

E. 11-()3-N-Methy I-N-carboethoxy )ethy I i dene-6,11-dihydro/~5H7-benzo/~5,6.7cyc I ohepta/Ί ,2-b/pyridine Prepare the title compound by the procedure of Example 4 A using 14.9 g of dimethylamino ethyIidene-6,11d i hydro-/5H/-benzo/5, 6/eye Iohepta/l,2-h/pyr idine and .9 g of ethyIchI oroformate at room temperature in benzene.

F. 4-(N-Carboethoxy-piper idylidene)4H-benzo/4,57cycIohepta /1,2-b7thi ophene-10(9H)-one_ Using the procedure of Example 4 A, react 21.3 9 of N-methyIp i per i dyIi dene-4H-benzo/4,5/cycIohepta/l,2-b/ thiophene-1 0(9H)-one in 300 ml of benzene with a solution of 10.9 9 of ethyIch1 oroformate in 300 ml benzene to prepare the title compound.

Example 2 11-(N-Carbophenoxy-4-p i per idyli dene )-6, 11-d i hydro5H-benzo/5, 6J7cyclohepta/'i ,2~b7pyridine (Compound TjB) To a solution of 29.1 g (0.1 mole) of Compound JJ.A in 150 ml of anhydrous carbon tetrachloride is added 17 9 of phenyIchIoroformate in an equal volume of anhydrous carbon tetrachloride. Heat under reflux for 15 minutes with stirring and pour into water. Separate and wash the organic layer with water and remove solvent. Extract the residue with ether, filter off the insoluble material and remove the ether. The residue is reerystallized from isopropyl ether to yield the title compound having a melting point of 127-I3O°C. Similarly, prepare the 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-chloro derivatives of the title compound using this procedure.

Example 3 11-(N-Carbo i sopropoxy-4-p iperi dyIi dene-6, 11-d i hydro5H-benzo/§, 67cyc I ohepta/~l, 2-b7pyr idine Dissolve 0.5 g sodium metal in 50 ml isopropanol and add 7.9 g of Compound HB from Example 2. Heat with stirring for 5 hours on the steam bath at 90-95° and allow to cool overn i ght.

Add ice water to precipitate the product and extract times with ether and once with chloroform. Wash with water, distill off solvents, triturate with hexane and recrystallize from isopropylether. The melting point is I47-I48°C.

Using this procedure, and replacing the isopropanol with n-butanol, cyclopentanol, allyl alcohol, eye IopropyImethanoI , benzyI a I coho I , p-chlorobenzylaI coho I, phenethyI a 1 coho I , dimethyI aminoethyI a I coho I or N-methyI-4-hydroxy-piperidine prepare the corresponding esters. Similarly, using the 7-, 8-, 9- and 10chloro derivatives of Compound JJ.B and the sodium salts of the aforementioned alcohols, prepare the corresponding 7-, 8-, 9- and 10-chloro compounds.

Example 4 11-(N-Carbo-t-butoxy-4-piper i dyIi dene-6,11d i hydro-5H-benzo/3,6/cyc I oheptaZ~l, 2-h7pyr i di ne Dissolve 13.8 g of ll-(4-piperidylidene)-6,lldihydro-5H-benzo/5,6/cycIohepta/Ί,2-h/pyridine (Compound I IC). prepared according to the method of Villani et al., J. Med.

Chem. I 5, 750 (1972), in 250 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran.

With stirring, add 12 g of di-butyl carbonate and stir at room temperature overnight. The mixture is poured into water, is extracted with ether and is washed with water and the solvent is removed. Recrystallize the residue from isopropyl ether. The melting point is I44-145°C. 5130 Example 5 N-Methanesulfonyl-4-piperidylidene-6, 11d i hydro-5H-bcnzo/5,(i/cyc I ohept.a/'l, 2-t>7pyr idine To 10 g of compound I IC in 200 ml of dry toluene add 13 9 of anhydrous potassium carbonate. After several minutes of stirring at room temperature, add dropwise a solution of 6 g of methanesuIfonyI chloride in 20 ml of toluene. Continue stirring for 16 to 20 hours and then filter. Recrystallize the solid material from ethanol.

The melting point is 223-224°C.

Using this procedure and adjusting the weight of the requisite sulfonyl chloride so that 0.04 moles of said a IkanesuIfonyI chloride are used, the ethanesuIfonyI, n-propy I su I fony I, n-butyIsuIfonyI, eye IopropyisuIfonyI, heptyIsuIfonyI, dodecyIsuIfonyI, phenylsulfonyl, p-methyIphenyI —suIfonyI, p-fIuorophenyIsuIfonyI, p-chIorophenyIsulfonyI, benzyIsuIfonyI, p-chlorobenzyIsuIfonyI, p-tertbutylphenylsulfonyl and cyclopentylsuIfonyI compounds of formula I wherein Y is S02R are obtained Similarly, prepare the tricyclic ring substituted chloro der i vat i ves.

Substituting the appropriate starting material having a double bond between the 5 and 6 positions of the ring system, and using the procedures set forth in Examples 4 to 5 above (which show the preparation of the 6,11-dihydro compounds), the corresponding 6,11-dehydro compounds are prepared.

Also, by substituting an appropriate bromo or other halo analogue for the 7-, 8-, 9- or I0-chIoro-substituted starting material mentioned above, other desired halo compounds of the formula L may be prepared.

Typical representatives of compounds from the preferred group having the general formula I I X Y m.p. H cooc2h5 lo6-lo7°C H cooch2cci3 I47°C H coo- I27-I3o°C H C00CH(CH3)2 147-I48°C H C00(CH2)2.N(CH3)2 84-87°C H COOCHg 116-1I8°C H COO(CH2)3CH3 86-89°C H COOC(CH3)3 I44-I45°C H coo-Qn-ch, I58-I6o°C H COOCH 2- 106-1o8°C 8-CI C00C2H5 I28-I3o°C H C00CH2CH=CH2 88-91 °C H coqch2-^~~^ci 13I-l34°C H coo(ch2)2-£^ lol-lo4°C H C00CH2_^j I26-I27°C H COO-xQ 162-I64°C H S°2-0<«3 I97-I99°C 8-CI SO2-0€H3 185-187°C H O 186-l87°C Compound No. X Y m.p. 20 H so2ch3 223-224°C 21 H so2(ch2)2ch3 I83-I84°C 22 H S02CH2CH3 I73-I74°C 23 HS02(CH2)3CH3 |85-I86°C 24 HS02-CH2-@ |85-I86°C 25 H so2V| I57-I58°C The compounds of the present invention (including those excluded from the definition of formula I by provisos (i) and (ii)) are useful as non10 sedating antihistamines. Such compounds act as anti-allergic agents in the treatment of such conditions as perennial and season allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria, and can be administered in pharmaceuticaI formulations comprising the compound in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier suitable for enteral or parenteral administration. The formulations may be in solid form, as for example tablets and capsules, or in liquid form as for example syrups, elixirs, emulsions, and injectables.

In the formulation of pharmaceutical dosage forms there generally is utilized excipients, for example, water, gelatin. lactose, starches, magnesium stearate, talc, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, gums, polyalkylene glycols, and petroleum jelly. Preferred formulations are more fully illustrated in Example 6.

Although the required dosage will be determined by such factors as the patient's age, sex, weight and the severity of the allergic reaction to be treated, the preferred human dosage range is likely to be 4 to 50 mg of the effective compound I to 3 times per day. The preferred dosage ranges ]Q for other animals can readily be determined by using standard testing methods.

The following data show the pharmaceutical effect of the compounds of this invention. (The data were elaborated with the compound 8-chIoro-6,11-dihydro11-(l-carboethoxy-4-p i per i dyIi dene)-5-H-benzo/5,6/ eye Iohepta/Ί,2-b7pyridine.) Oral ED,.q for preventing histamine induced lethality in guinea pigs is 0.19 mg/kg. The acetate toxicity is very low (e.g.>320 mg/kg in mice; >·60 mg/kg in dogs etc.).

Oral EDjq f°r preventing histamine-induced paw edema in mice is 1.3 mg/kg.

The compound showed very little or no CNS activity in mice, rats, dogs or monkeys, e.g. no physostigmine lethality in mice at doses up to 320 mg/kg; no overt behavioral or neurologic or autonomic effects in mice or rats after doses of 10 - 300 mg/kg, in dogs after doses of 15-60 mg/kg or in monkeys at doses of 30 - 90 mg/kg.

The following examples are illustrative of the aforementioned pha rmaceutical compositions: Example 6 A syrup comprising a compound of the present invention (Active Compound), e.g. 11-(N-carboethoxy-4-piperidyIidene)-822 513 0 3 ch loro-6, 11 -d ihydro-5H-benzo/5, (Jcyclohepta/l , 2-h/pyr idine, I I - (N-methanesu I fony I -4-p i per i dyI i dene )-6,11-d i hydro-5H-benzo/5,^7cycIoheptaΓ\ ,2-h7pyrid ine, 11-(N-carboethoxy-4-piperidyIidene)5 6,11-dihydro-5H-benzozf5,67cyclohepta/*l,2-b7pyr id ine, 11-(N-carbomethoxy-4-piperidyIidene)6,1 l-di hydr o-5H-benzo/5, 7cyc I ohepta/’l, 2-lj7pyr.idine, is prepared from the following ingredients: Active Compound Sucrose Sorb i to I Propylene Glycol MethyIparaben PropyIparaben F.D, & C. Yellow No. 6 Alcohol USP Imitation Black Currant Purified Water USP per m I o.loo mg 6oo mg 14o mg 2o.o mg l.oo mg o.2oo mg 0.225 mg o.oo2l ml Flavor o.ool ml SLSj The syrup is prepared according to standard I .o ml by combining the above techniques. i ngred i ents 513 0 3 Example 7 A tablet comprising a compound of the present invention (Active Compound) is prepared by a spray-dry process from 5 the following ingredients: Tablet 1. Tablet TI Component 1 (mg/tablet) (mg/tablet) Active Compound * 1 .oo i o. oo 10 Lactose, Hydrous USP (Impalpable Powder) 212 180.00 Povidone NF 1 o .o — Corn Starch (Food Grade) I5.o 6.0 Purified Water USP (Evaporates) o. 1o2 ml 1 o.l Additional Components 15 Corn Starch (Food Grade) 11.5 6.0 Magnesium Stearate USP 0.5oo 1.2 Gelati ne — 2.5 The materials of Component I are combined and spray dried by standard techniques. The resulting spray dried material is combined with the additional components listed above and processed to form tablets. *) e.g. 11-(N—carboethoxy—4—piperidyIidene)— 8-chI oro-6,11-d i hydro-5H-benzo/5,67cyc1ohepta/1,2-b7pyr idine.

Claims

1.I. Compounds of the general formula I ω where i n A represents the group of atoms required for completing a fused aromatic 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring or a fused benzene ring; B represents the group of atoms required for completing a fused pyridine, benzene or X-substituted benzene ring wherein X is halogen, with the proviso that when A defines a nitrogen containing heterocyclic ring then B defines a fused benzene or X-substituted benzene ring; Z represents a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted methylene or ethylene group, the substituent being an oxo or hydroxy group, or Z represents vinylene; Rj represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having I to 3 carbon atoms and R3 represents hydrogen, or l?2 and R^ form together a second bond; R^ represents hydrogen and Rj represents an alkyl group having I to 6 carbon atoms. Rj and R^j form together a second bridge —CCH^)^ - between the carbon atom and the nitrogen atom to which they are attached; p represents 1 or 2; and Y represents either of the groups -COOR^ and -SC^Rg where i n Ry represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, eycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, phenyI IoweraIkyI or 2-, 3 - or 4-piperidyl and Rg represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, eycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl or phenyI IoweraIkyI; whereby the alkyl, cycloalkyl, eycloalkylalkyl and alkenyl groups represented by R? may optional ly be substituted by the group whe *6 lerein R^ and R^ each represent hydrogen or .an alkyl group having I to 6 carbon atoms, the piperidyl groups represented by R? may be substituted at the nitrogen atom by a lower alkyl group having I to 4 carbon atoms, and whereby the phenyl groups and the phenyl moiety of the phenylloweralkyl groups represented by R? and/or Rg may be substituted by halogen or lower alkyl having I to 4 carbon atoms, 513 03 1 Subject to the following further provisos: (i) that when A is a group of atoms required to form a fused [1,2-b] thiophene ring, Z is -CH^-CH^- or -CH=CH-, p is 2 and either 5 1) B is a group of atoms required to form a fused benzene ring, R^ and R^ are both hydrogen or form a double bond, R^ is hydrogen and R^ is C-j-C^ alkyl or R^ and R 1 form the second bridge (-CH^-)^; or 2. ) B is an X substituted benzene ring, R ? and R 3 form a 10 double bond, R^ is hydrogen and R^ is Me; then Ry cannot be C^-C^ alkyl or phenyl (C^C 4 alkyl ) ‘ and (ii) when A and B represent respectively a fused benzene ring and a fused benzene or X substituted benzene 15 ring then Rj and R^ form together a second bridge (CHjIg between the carbon atom and nitrogen atom to which they are attachad; and wherein, in Y, the alkyl and alkenyl groups have up to 12 carbon atoms, the loweralkyl groups (in the 20 phenylloweralkyl groups) have 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the cyeloalkyl groups have 3 to 7 carbon atoms, and the cycloalkylalkyl groups have 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

2. Compounds according to claim I wherein Z represents an ethylene or vinylene group.

3. Compounds according to claim I or 2 wherein l?2 and Rj together form a second bond. 5

4. Compounds according to anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein R| and R^ together form a bridge of the formula -(Cl^^ -

5. Compounds according to anyone of claims I to 4 wherein the ring defined by A is a thiophene or pyridine 10 ring.

6.P Compounds according to anyone of claims I to 5 wherein the ring defined by B is a fuzed benzene or X-substituted benzene ring with X being as defined in claim I . 15

7. Compounds according to anyone of claims I to 6 having the general fnrmula II wherein the dotted line represents an optional double bond and X and Y are as defined in claim I.

8. Compounds according to anyone of claims I to 7 wherein there is a single bond between the 5 and 65 positions.

9. Compounds according to anyone of claims I to 8 wherein X represents hydrogen, 8-chlorine or 8-bromi ne.

10. Compounds according to anyone of claims I to 9, 10 said compounds being 11-(N-carboethoxy-4-piper idyli dene)-8-chIoro-6, 11-d ihydro-5H-benzo/S, (Jeye Iohepta/Ί,2-b7pyr i d i ne; 11-(N-methanesuIfonyI-4-piper i dyIi dene )-6,11d i hydro-5H-benzoZ5,6/eye Iohepta/Ί,2-^/pyr i d i ne; 15 ll-(N-carboethoxy-4-p i per i dyIi dene)-6,11di hydro-5H-benzo/5,67cycIohepta/1,2-b/pyr i d i ne; 11-(N-carbomethoxy-4-p iper idyli dene)-6,11d i hydro-5H-benzo/5,67eye I ohepta/Ί , 2-lj/pyr i d i ne; or 1l-(N-carbophenoxy-4-p iper i dyIi dene)-6,11d i hydro-5H-benzo/5,67eye Iohepta/Ί,2-b7pyridine.

11. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising as an active ingredient a compound chosen from compounds of formula I as defined in claim 1 and 5 those compounds excluded from claim 1 by provisos (i) and (ii) therein, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

12. Process for preparing compounds of formula 1 as defined in claim I characterized in that a compound of the general formu la III wherein Α,Β,Ζ, R.,R„,R n ,R. and p are as defined in I ζ ό 4 j_ . i« reacted claim I and Y' represents a replaceable groupywith a compound of formula I IL... ty (W, 15 wherein Y is asebfineo in claim I and T represents a group capable of being eliminated together with Y', and that, if desired, a so obtained compound of formula X is transferred into another compound of formula I by transesterification of the group Y.

13. Process for preparing compounds of formula I as defined in Claim 1, substantially as described herein by way of Example.

14. Compound prepared by a process according to either of Claims 12 and 13. Dated this 16th day of June, 1981.